Joseph Danko

1932 - 2021

Joseph Danko
Aug. 13, 1932 - June 30, 2021
San Jose
Joseph Danko died at his longtime south San Jose home on June 30, 2021. He was 88. Joe was a great family man, pressman, union man, parishioner and neighbor. He was born Aug. 13, 1932, to Mildred and Joe Danko in Selkirk, Manitoba, the first of four boys, and grew up in the farm country north of Winnipeg. A Free Press delivery route in his teens led to a job in the press room, and he spent 40 years printing newspapers. It was a good fit: He was well-read and loved the news, and his crossword game was strong. He self-deprecatingly spoke of having an 11th-grade education, but he knew history and literature. A staunch Democrat, he followed politics closely. He enjoyed sports in his youth and became a great fan of the Sharks, A's, Giants and 49ers. In 1956, he married Marion Cheslock and they raised five children, the first two born in Manitoba, the next three in Minnesota, where he worked at the Star Tribune for several years. In 1967, he followed his brother Dennis to San Jose, where he worked at the Mercury News until his retirement in 1994. Life revolved around work and the kids' school activities - sports, concerts, projects - as well as big holiday celebrations, Saturday evening Mass at Santa Teresa Church and summer car trips back to Canada (he was a tireless long-distance driver). Joe was a fair, kind and generous man, a great example for his children. He was preceded in death by his parents, his infant brother, Stanley, and his brother Gerry and son Phil. He is survived by his wife of nearly 65 years, Marion, children Ken, Debbie, Pete and Liz, seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, brother Dennis and many more extended family and friends who loved him.

A mass in honor of Joe will be held on August 21 at 2 pm in Mary's Garden at Santa Teresa Church, 794 Calero Avenue, San Jose, CA 95123.
View the online memorial for Joseph Danko